Medicare as secondary payer

Has anyone had primary  insurance deny surgery and have medicare kick in and pay after primary denies? My primary has strick written claus that bariiatric surgery is excluded, but I have medicare as secondary so I am hopeful . anyone been in this sitution?

Hi Jill -

I did a search on OH for "Medicare Secondary Payer" and found your post. I went to your profile and it looks like you might have had your surgery in August, so I'm hoping that the answer was YES.

I had my RNY last summer. My husband has been on Medicare due to a disability. He's been fortunate enough to be able to return to work. He has medical coverage through his employer who has more than 100 employees. The coverage through his work has a specific exclusion that will deny him coverage. When I contacted Duke University about this they said we were out of luck because Medicare always follows suit after the primary carrier and will deny coverage. I've posted about this on some of the boards and have gotten some mixed information. Some medical billers and folks who work in Dr's offices say that Duke is right. Other's say no, Medicare will and does pay. Sooooo.... Did Medicare pay?

I hope so for your sake and that of my husband.

If you had your surgery, how are you doing?

Thanks in advance.

Barb